A Simple Resolution to the Agile Transformation Conundrum

Agile Transformation

There is a lot of pushback against the word transformation, with many seeing it as a linear, one-off event, that can be completed. A bit like a caterpillar goes through a transformation into a butterfly. It’s a valid point, although alternative words, such as transition, or journey, have the same problem.

However, that’s not why I have a dilemma over the phrase. After all, when an Agile Transformation is successful, there is a significant change that happens. The issue I have is that it places the emphasis on the word Agile as the goal. In other words, the perception is that an Agile transformation is one which has a focus on doing Agile. This brings with it the risk of imposing and inflicting Agile on people.

Transformational Agile

When I talk about Transformation, I prefer to qualify it as Outcome-Oriented and Continuous Transformation. The perception now is that the transformation is one which is never done, and is always moving towards “uncovering better ways” rather than simply implementing new ways.

Thus, I prefer to place the emphasis on the word Transformation rather than Agile. The phrase Transformational Agile might be a better alternative. It suggests that Agile is a means to an end, rather than the end in itself. Even better still, Transformational Agility shifts the focus onto being agile in order to transform.

Strategic Agility

However, even Transformation is not an end goal. Rather, the transformation is required for an organisation to be competitive and adaptive. That leads to the idea of Strategic Agility. In other words, Agility is a strategy and Agile is a tactic. Thus Strategic Agility shifts the focus further to having Agility both as an organisational strategy itself and to enable Strategy Deployment. This brings with it the opportunity to invite and engage with people on how to do that.

This switch from talking about Agile Transformations to talking about Strategic Agility changes the conversation from just how to implement Agile practices, to how to get the many benefits that Agility promises. If you have gone through an Agile Transformation, but are not getting the benefits you had anticipated, then Strategic Agility might be the answer.